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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
American Express Classic Green Card review: A great choice for modern travelers and professionals
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
July 7, 2025 • 8 min read
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
A mid-tier travel rewards card is highlighted for its strong bonus categories at travel, transit and restaurants.
The card provides an annual statement credit for expedited airport security screening, which can offset its fee for frequent travelers.
It offers valuable travel and shopping protections, as well as access to a wide range of airline and hotel transfer partners.
Applications for this product are no longer being accepted as of July 23, 2026.
What to consider
The annual statement credit for airport security requires enrollment and is subject to auto-renewal.
Points are most valuable when transferred to travel partners, with TPG's June 2025 valuation at 2 cents each.
Alternative redemption options, such as for shopping or statement credits, yield significantly lower value.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of this card's features and benefits versus other popular mid-tier travel cards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
The American Express® Classic Green Card is suited to modern travelers. It earns bonus points on travel, transit and dining at restaurants and offers valuable statement credits that help offset its annual fee. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Until I wrote this review, I'd never really considered the Amex Classic Green. As I learned about this card, I realized it's a surprisingly strong mid-tier travel card for anyone who prioritizes travel, dines out frequently and incurs travel costs.
It has an annual fee of $150, and if you can utilize the annual up to $219 statement credit for Clear+, the card can easily be worthwhile (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal).
As of July 23, 2026 the card is no longer accepting applications.
The information for the American Express Classic Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Solid earnings and benefits make the Amex Classic Green a serious competitor if you're looking for a mid-tier travel rewards card.
$219 Clear+ annual statement credit
One benefit of the Amex Classic Green card I haven't seen on many other cards is an up to $219 Clear+ statement credit each calendar year. With Clear, your eyes and fingertips can help you get through security faster at select airports and stadiums nationwide.
CLEAR
Since the normal rate for this membership is $219 per year, this statement credit covers the full annual cost. Enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal.
The Amex Classic Green offers extended warranty** and purchase protection** when you purchase eligible items with your card. These protections can save you serious money if something goes wrong with a recent purchase.
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You'll also be protected when you're on the road. The Amex Classic Green offers a baggage insurance plan** and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance***, with the option to upgrade to primary coverage through Amex's Premium Car Rental Protection.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
3 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
3 points per dollar spent on travel and transit
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Based on TPG's June 2025 valuation of Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, you'll get an approximate 6% return on spending in the top two categories and 2% on everything else.
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It's important to note that these categories are broad. For example, "travel" includes airfare, hotels, tours, campgrounds and vacation rentals, while "transit" includes trains, taxicabs, ride-hailing services, ferries and tolls.
Much of your spending may fall within these categories, depending on your lifestyle.
The Amex Classic Green provides Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed in several ways.
Aside from travel, options include statement credits for recent, eligible purchases, shopping on Amazon and shopping with Membership Rewards. However, these options provide less value than redeeming your points for travel.
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Using your points on Amazon offers poor value, at only 0.7 cents per point; redeeming points to cover eligible charges will get you 0.6 cents per point; and shopping with Membership Rewards is the worst option, providing a meager 0.5 cents per point.
Given that TPG's June 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards points at 2 cents per point, redeeming your points for travel is by far the best choice. The easiest way to get at least 2 cents per point is by using Amex's transfer partners.
Some excellent sweet spots include one-way business-class flights to Europe and stays at participating Preferred Hotels and Resorts worldwide with Choice Hotels points.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson regularly transfers points to Avianca LifeMiles and has gotten transatlantic flights to Europe for as low as 17,000 points in economy class. Avianca LifeMiles has plenty of great redemptions with Star Alliance partners, making it an especially valuable transfer partner.
The Amex Classic Green is a competitive mid-tier card with strong earning rates and useful benefits, but other issuers have some comparable options:
If you prefer Chase: The (see rates and fees) is among the best-known travel rewards credit cards. It earns bonus points on travel, dining, vacation homes, gas and EV, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs). Plus, it has a $100 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel℠. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
If you prefer Capital One: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is straightforward and easy to use. This card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on car rentals, vacation rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. This card can fit into a variety of points and miles strategies. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
If you want a card with no annual fee: The is an option for someone who wants a beginner travel card with no annual fee. Cardholders will earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel and 1.5 points for every dollar spent. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase. To learn more, read our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
The Amex Classic Green's statement credits can more than offset the $150 annual fee, making this card a compelling option for young professionals and others who allocate much of their budget toward travel, dining and commuting.
If you'll use the annual Clear+ statement credit and can maximize the broadly defined bonus categories, the Amex Classic Green is worth keeping in your wallet.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
